As a long shot, I ask if anyone has access to old Great Northern equipment rosters. A local historical group is refurbing an old hopper but has little info about the original. We think it was built around 1898 and is made of stamped parts (even the truck sideframes). This particular unit served at least one other road - the Pacific Eastern - after the GN. If anyone can suggest any info, I'll get a GN car number - someone thinks he can find it. Appreciate your help! Scott
This sounds like the old GN hopper that is in the Medford Railroad Park...correct? If so, does it look like any cars on this website? Equipment Rolling Stock Details - MCR 1808 If so, then here is a basic history on the cars...Great Northern acquired 500 of these cars, 50 in 1899 and 450 in 1900. GN subsidiary Eastern Minnesota purchased some of these cars, with those cars entered into the GN roster when the EM merged into the GN in 1902. GN initially numbered the cars in the 85000-series, and then later renumbered to the 74000-75000 series (odd numbers only). Pressed Steel Car Company built the cars, and they were among the first steel hoppers used in the iron ore trade in the upper midwest. The cars 22-foot length was dictated by the spacing on unloading chutes, which in turn were predicated by the spacing of the loading hatches on the iron ore ships. As built, the cars had two knock holes in the sides of the cars, through which logs would be inserted to clear jammed loads. Steam pipes could also be inserted into the holes to thaw frozen loads in the winter. GN cut three additional knock holes in the cars as an aftermarket addition. Newer steel cars started replacing the cars in the early 1920's, and in 1924 GN sold the bulk of the fleet to equipment dealer Hyman-Michaels of Chicago, IL. GN continued to keep some cars at least well into the 1950's. Hyman-Michaels resold most of the cars they purchased, mostly to western shortlines and industrials. Most of these cars entered ballast service, with some cars used for aggregate movements. A handfull of these cars survive here and there today...McCloud Railway has one, Yreka Western has another, several others are on the Sierra, and Almanor had two the last time somebody looked (even though the line itself is currently out of service). I hope this helps. Jeff Moore Elko, NV
Fantastic, Jeff - thank you! I understand that those restoring the car (yes, Medford Railroad Park) can't agree on the color of the original GN cars. Do you know? Thanks again! Scott
Scott- None of my immediately available resources specify colors for these cars. However, I can direct you to model railroad manufacturer Westerfield's website... westerfield model railroad kits If you scroll down their page a ways, you will find that they produce models for these cars. The models they show for the GN/EM cars are painted a mineral brown/boxcar red, which may be pretty accurate. Jeff Moore Elko, NV
